"The song I wanted to play at our wedding was played at his funeral," she told Jeremiah D. Spotts. "Tom was my best friend. I go to bed alone looking at his picture and holding his shirt. He was my rock, and now he's gone."

Following the testimony of Wagner and other family members, Lancaster County Judge Michael J. Perezous sentenced Spotts, 28, of Peach Bottom, to 2½ to 6½ years in state prison.

Spotts pleaded guilty to felony homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence, possession of a small amount of marijuana and two traffic offenses. He also must pay $8,251 for Mahan's funeral expenses and complete drug and alcohol counseling.

According to police, Spotts smoked crack cocaine and marijuana and was speeding when the 1985 Pontiac Trans Am he was driving on Route 272 in Pequea Township crashed into a tree shortly after 8:30 p.m.

Mahan, Spotts' friend for 15 years, was ejected from the car and died from his injuries.

Spotts told Perezous religion has helped him cope with what he did.

"I've accepted the fate which the Lord has laid upon me," he said. "I will spend the rest of my days knowing what my poor decisions have caused.

"I may not be ready to forgive myself, but it does my heart good to know the Lord has forgiven me."

Five relatives of Mahan read statements to Spotts during the hour long hearing.

Mahan's two daughters, Kylee, 14, and Alyssa, 11, spoke about their father. Kylee recalled a poem she wrote about him titled "Now That You're Gone."

"I won't have someone to teach me how to skate," she said. "(Mahan) won't be there to watch me graduate, have kids or get married."

Southern Regional police Sgt. Robert Buser, who investigated the crash, said witnesses saw Spotts driving erratically in the hours leading up to the accident.

The speed limit at the crash site is 50 mph. A state police accident reconstruction expert determined the Trans Am was traveling 62 to 75 mph.

About 90 minutes before the accident, Spotts and Mahan went to Musser's Market in Buck.

While trying to park the Trans Am, Spotts struck a concrete curb next to a gasoline pump. He was mumbling and appeared intoxicated, market workers told police.

A man who was with Spotts and Mahan that night told Buser Spotts was "wasted" and "high" from smoking crack. Police found marijuana in the car while searching the wreckage.

Spotts sustained head injuries, a broken jaw and collarbone, a dislocated his leg and an ankle injury in the crash.

Defense attorney David Blanck told Perezous that Spotts suffered amnesia and has little memory of the accident. He also requires antiseizure medication.

"He does not know what happened," Blanck said. "However, from the beginning, he has accepted responsibility and is remorseful for the loss of his friend."

Spotts and Mahan often spent time together repairing automobiles and fishing, Blanck said.

Mahan's mother, Betty A. Jones, told Perezous her son made a mistake when he got in a car with Spotts.

"Because Mr. Spotts chose to drive under the influence, my son was taken from his family," Jones said.

"I know nothing will bring my son back, but I want Mr. Spotts to live every day of his life knowing that he took the life of a friend."

Perezous ended the hearing by asking the Mahan family to try to move forward with their lives.

"I don't think something like this is ever forgotten by those it has touched," he said. "There is a way of not forgetting, but still going on with their lives."